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BENTHIC MICROALGAL CONTROL ON THE NUTRIENT FLUX IN INTER-TIDAL FLATS OF THE LOWER YAQUINA ESTUARY, OREGON
Citation:
Sin, Y. AND A C. Sigleo. BENTHIC MICROALGAL CONTROL ON THE NUTRIENT FLUX IN INTER-TIDAL FLATS OF THE LOWER YAQUINA ESTUARY, OREGON. Presented at Estuarine Research Society Meeting, Seattle, WA, September 14-18, 2003.
Description:
Three sites were selected across the intertidal zone of the lower Yaquina Bay to investigate the role of benthic microalgae in benthic nutrient fluxes. Study sites were selected where microalage were present but without seagrass or mud shrimp. Sediment columns were collected three times from each station for three consecutive days from the sampling sites prior to each of four experiments that were conducted during the spring (April) and summer (June, August) 2000. Preliminary experiments were conducted in September, November and January 1999. Sediment columns collected at these sites were transported to the lab for chamber experiments. Two sets of chambers (light and dark) were performed simultaneously in each experiment. Each set of the chamber experiments was composed of three sediment-water and three water column blanks, the latter of which were used to correct water column processes in the chambers. The chamber experiments (4 hour incubations) were conducted for each station three times for 3 consecutive days. Results from light and dark chamber experiments showed that orthophosphate, silicate and ammonia were utilized by benthic microalgae, suggesting that the role of benthic microalgae is important in the nutrient fluxes in the lower Yaquina estuary, Oregon (USA).